Population myths

Major demographic trends have resulted from the successes of public health policies: as a population we are indeed living longer. But George Magnus reacts with outdated apocalyptic rhetoric (Dependency time-bomb, 4 February).

The idea that as we pass our 65th birthday we become "dependent" on those still of "working age" is as absurd as the idea that we cease to be dependent the morning after our 16th birthday. The "time-bomb" will be defused the day the government makes age discrimination in employment illegal (including the mandatory retirement practices of some employers), and economists develop less hysterical and better-informed analyses of population trends.Bill BythewayFaculty of health and social care, Open University